Solar Decathlon 2013 is coming to Irvine, California this October!

Solar Decathlon 2013 Team Photo. Courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is an award-winning program that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.
— U.S. Department of Energy

Students from around the world will bring their designs for solar-powered houses to Irvine, California this October, as part of the 2013 Solar Decathlon. First held in 2002, the Solar Decathlon is a biannual student competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Decathlon will take place at Orange County Great Park, with model houses erected for public tours October 3-6 and 10-13, from 11am - 7pm daily.

Take a look at the competing entries via the Dept. of Energy's flickr stream, as well as photos from XPO, the "clean, renewable and efficient energy exposition" that will host the competition. Competitors will be representing the following schools, listed as teams:

Arizona State University and The University of New Mexico (U.S.)

Czech Technical University (Czech Republic)

University of Louisville, Ball State University and University of Kentucky (U.S.)